Dunes Learning Center is looking for local families who want to connect with nature and their very own National Park. Nat’s Nature Club is a new initiative thanks to funding provided in part by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake Michigan Coastal Program as well as First Source Foundation.
“The club is named after Dunes Learning Center’s mascot, Nat the Nature Nut,” explains Community Education Manager Brandon Griffith. “Nat is a fun character that makes an appearance at many of our camps and events.”
Club members will have seasonal meetings and access to an exclusive website with even more outdoor family activities they can do in their own backyards or other local green spaces, including Indiana Dunes National Park. From scavenger hunts and themed hikes to DIY crafts, Nat’s Nature Club will have something for kids of all ages.
“As the education partner of Indiana Dunes National Park, we strive to inspire the stewards of tomorrow by connecting them with nature,” Griffith adds. “During the school year, we work closely with teachers and schools, so we are excited to welcome family groups - including grandparents and other caregivers - to our programs.”
Dunes Learning Center will be kicking off Nat’s Nature Club with two events in January, including a twilight hike and an overnight camp experience. For more information and to register, go to www.DunesLearningCenter.org/nat. Registration for these inaugural events is limited and the first 20 families to join Nat’s Nature Club will receive Outdoor Adventure Backpacks to continue exploring on their own.